I am sure enough of you have 'heard' me complaining about my osteo arthritis (have had two hip replacements) and in particularly my very, very bad back and a knee that also doesn't like me. So bad in fact, that standing for long or walking any worthwhile distance is a thing of the past. I use a stick in the house and a walker when I do have to go to the shops but years ago I was put on to Pandadol Osteo (6 tablets daily so as not exceed the 4,000mg which is considered a safe daily dose). I have been taking them religiously and....hoping.
In the advertisement for this produce it states that it may give up to a 24 hour relief from pain from osteo arthritis. It perhaps omits to say how serious the arthritis is before the Panadol Ostoer ceases to have any, or little, effect. Modern advertising can be very confusing and a times rather misleading.
My daughter and I have often discussed the use of paracetamol and decided it may help the tiny aches and pains but, on the whole, does very little to dull severe pain. I have continued taking it in the hope that perhaps the placebo effect may work.....you know....mind over matter!! I sometimes think it may help my hands but perhaps the exercise I do with them on my keyboard and crocheting does more good as it keeps them active.
Apparently a big study has been done here in Australia and those taking paracetamol for back pain and osteo arthritis were no better off then those taking placebos and, of course, paracetamol can damage one's liver over time. I think the last blood test I had showed my liver not doing too badly but is it worth the risk if the tablets I take do little to ease the pain?
The result of this recent study was that many people suffer back pain during their lifetime but 10% become incapacitated as a result of their back pain, which is of course very true. The part of the result that didn't sit well with me of course was that the alternative to using paracetamol ..... people could lose weight (not easy when you can't move much), and exercise (also not easy etc etc).
About 10 years or more back I remember having a discussion about medications with my orthopaedic surgeon who said he considered any medication that kept you alive should be taken regularly but most others (and I feel he also included alternative medications in this) could be dangerous and quite often unnecessary. He then went on to say that to date (remember this was back in about 2003/4) nobody knew the outcome re the constant use of PARACETAMOL!! We now are told it is possibly useless anyway and could be dangerous.
I rest my case....I wonder how many of you take paracetamol for different types of pain. Do you actually find that it does help reduce pain? I would be very interested in your opinion.
